TRACK & FIELD: Greencastle-Antrim set for another big year

GREENCASTLE — In itself, the sport of track and field has a uniqueness that few other forms of competition share.

It starts with a mass quantity of participants specializing in various events, with standout competitors being rewarded on an individual level come postseason time.

Thus, the key to overall team success relies upon finding a collection of individual talent spread across multiple disciplines, each capable of shouldering their share of the workload.

A season ago, Greencastle-Antrim benefitted from such balance, with the boys' completing an undefeated dual-meet schedule (7-0) en route to the Mid-Penn Colonial Division title while the girls' finished runner-up (6-1) to league champion Gettysburg.

Still, despite the return of several key contributors poised to personally take the next step, G-A's focus remains on winning as a team first this spring, before turning its attention to individual accomplishments later in the year.

"The goal is for everyone to be successful," head coach Devin McCauley said. "In order to be good individually, you also have to be a team player. We want our kids to reach their potential through dedication to both themselves and the team. Winning division championships will then follow."

Similar to last season, both squads are relatively young, with a total of just 12 seniors being joined by a wealth of underclassmen.

Although small in numbers, the soon-to-be graduates headline the long list of returning talent, starting with the duo of Nakita Gearhart and Ashton Rockwell — the only seniors on the girls' roster.

Gearhart has been a versatile staple for the Blue Devils throughout her career, competing in the high jump, discus and javelin, qualifying for the District 3 Championships in at least one event each of the last three years.

Rockwell also returns with a trip to states in mind, entering the season as a three-time district qualifier in the 100-meter hurdles.

"They are exactly what you want as leaders for your team," McCauley said of Gearhart and Rockwell. "They both have great work ethic and a drive to get better. We're hoping they can get over the hump and make it to states as seniors."

Sophomore Shelby Stouffer acts as G-A's third girl who's coming off a district appearance in 2012, when she made the field for the 1,600-meter run as a freshman.

The likes of Caroline Schemel, Lauren Powers, Nikki Garns, Madison Hurley and Caitlyn Hetrick are all also conditioned distance runners, an area in which the Blue Devils are expecting to thrive.

The additions of Jane Herman and Jordan Pizzarro will boost G-A's depth on the track while Erica Helm returns as a signature competitor in the triple jump, long jump and hurdles.

"I feel like we have a very solid girls' team," McCauley said. "We lost a couple pieces from last year, but we've also added a few girls that are going to make immediate impacts. We're definitely excited to see how it all comes together."

On the boys' side, G-A welcomes back a pair of district qualifiers from a season ago in David Spinder and Taylor Kirkpatrick, both of whom are looking to cap their careers on a high note.

Spinder, who shined in the shot put, will lead a well-rounded cast of throwers, including Luke Bitner and Bobby Rider.

While continuing to focus on the high jump, Kirkpatrick is also projected to compete in multiple events as a sprinter, joining Devin Statler, Eli Bock and Austin Scott as speedsters to watch this spring.

The return of Scott, who missed his junior year after tearing his ACL in football season, adds one of the area's premiere athletes to an already solid lineup, giving the Blue Devils yet another proven threat. As a sophomore, Scott was a member of G-A's state-qualifying 4x100 relay team, providing the accomplished quarterback-turned-track-star with a taste of postseason success two years ago.

Now 100 percent healthy, Scott could be showcased in as many as five events per meet, with an honest shot at qualifying for districts in each.

McCauley also has high expectations for distance runner Daulton Monn, who qualified for states during cross country season this fall.

"Our boys' have a lot of talent," McCauley said. "There's several guys that have a chance to make districts in multiple events. We also have plenty of promising underclassmen that came out this year. How quickly those younger kids contribute will be key to our success as a team."

G-A opens the season on Saturday at the Tim Cook Invitational held at Chambersburg High School. Aside from their Colonial schedule, the Blue Devils will also be participating in two additional invitationals later this season, made possible in part by sponsorship funds provided by Antrim Insurance and the Frederick family.

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